Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatchpasses along word that the Cardinals have officially signed veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski and will have him available for today’s game against the Cubs. George Kottaras, who was claimed off waivers from the Indians in the wake of Yadier Molina‘s torn thumb ligament, has been designated for assignment to clear a spot on the roster.

Pierzynski was cut loose by the Red Sox last month after he batted just .254/.286/.348 with four home runs and 31 RBI over 72 games. The 37-year-old backstop also apparently wasn’t very popular among his teammates.

Tony Cruz has received most of the playing time since Molina’s injury, but Pierzynski provides a veteran alternative down the stretch. The Cardinals will only have to pay him a prorated portion of the major league minimum.

I hadn’t thought of that before but he really is, he’s very intelligent, a giant jackwagon, and he’s never squandered his career earning in a couple of years with a string of obviously horrible real estate deals.

Those of you with all the AJ hate need to settle down. He isn’t being brought in to replace Yadi, because no one can do that. He is being brought it because he has more potential upside as the #2 catcher than Kottaras. He won’t be on the team longer than it takes Yadi to get healthy. He has a rep as not getting along in the clubhouse, but I have a feeling that was more prevalent when he was an integral part of the team. Being brought in as the #2 should make him a little more little to stay quiet. And, with it being a short term thing, he may have less time to grate on anyone’s nerves.